William Ewart Gladstone was born on 29th December 1809. He was
educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he gained a
double first in classics and maths. He was elected as Tory MP
for Newark in December 1832, aged 23.

In 1841 Gladstone was appointed Vice-President of the Board of
Trade, and President in 1843. In 1845 he resigned over the Prime
Minister's decision to make a grant to a Roman Catholic seminary
in Ireland but returned a year later as Colonial Secretary. When
the Tory Party broke apart in 1846 Gladstone became a Liberal,
now believing strongly in free trade. In 1847 he returned to
Parliament as MP for Oxford University, having lost his Newark
seat and became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1863 in Lord
Aberdeen's coalition of Whigs, Peelites and Radicals. He was
very successful and his first budget was an outstanding success.
He reduced income tax but the cost of the Crimean War forced him
to raise it again, as well as to add duty to important
commodities.

Gladstone was Chancellor again under Palmerston between 1859 and
1865, and under Russell between 1865 and 1866. In 1868 he became
Prime Minister for the first time and started to tackle
Ireland's oppressive landlordism. A heavy defeat in Parliament
after the start of the Franco-German War led to his resignation
in 1874. He returned in 1875 and became Prime Minister of the
Liberal Government for a second time in 1880. His popularity
waned after his failure to rescue General Gordon from Khartoum
and he resigned after a budget defeat in 1885.

Gladstone formed his third government in 1886 and failed to push
his Irish Home Rule Bill through Parliament. The Liberals won
the 1892 election and Gladstone became Prime Minister for the
fourth time. His Home Rule Bill again failed and he became
increasingly at odds with his cabinet. He retired in 1894 and
died of cancer on 19th May, 1898. He was buried in Westminster
Abbey.

In
Memoriam
The Rt. Hon. W.E. Gladstone

Illustrious chief, thy great career is closed,
In silent state thy body lies reposed,
Thy soul, we hope, has gone to realms of bliss,
To live with God in peace and happiness.

Thy cloquence has spread from shore to shore,
Whilst noble sayings from thy lips did pour
On those around, and some who heard thy voice
Were filled with joy, which made their hearts rejoice.

Although thy path's not always been serene,
Thou'st nobly served thy country and thy Queen,
Thou'st done thy best to help us in the land,
And o'er thy death grief reigns on every hand.

Thy countrymen in every walk of life
Will show respect, and pass o'er former strife,
Thy countrywomen, ever kind and true,
Shall deck thy tomb with flowers of every hue.

Thy noble works shall pass from age to age,
And be admired by critic and by sage,
And mighty rulers, o'er the deep blue sea,
Shall tokens send, to show their sympathy.

Farewell, great man! our nation bids adieu
To one beloved, and likewise honoured, too,
And those on whom thy labour has been spent,
Shall raise to thee a noble monument.